Device for agitating dice



May 13, 1941. J. c. woBENsMlTH i DEVICE FOR AGITATING DICE Fi'led June 9, 1939 IN VENTOR:

ATTORNEY.

BY, @Tw

Patented May 13, 1941 UNITED STATES "PATENT QFElCE DEVICE FOR AGITATING DICE James C. Wobensmith, Philadelphia, Pa., assigner of one-half to Roy F. Schealer, Boyertown, Pa.

Application June 9, 1939, Serial No. 278,270

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for agitating ranged that the fall of the dice is in every instance entirely a matter of chance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character aforesaid which may be ,1, Y

inexpensively constructed, yet Will be quite durable and efficient for its intended purpose.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character aforesaid which may be used either end up so that no care is necessary on the part of the player to see that the device is properly placed when the dice are to be thrown.

With the foregoing objects in view the invention contemplates the provision of a dice agitating device which preferably may be made from a few parts of cardboard or the like of simple formation, but which, nevertheless, will have certain inherent properties of rigidity and strength.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from f the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical central section of a dice agitating device embodying the main features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top or plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a preferred form of blank from which the main walls of the device are formed;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a preferred form of blank from which one of the internal members is formed; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the internal members formed to its preferred shape as the same is mounted in the interior of the structure.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawing herein contained are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, in the particular embodiment of the invention therein shown, the outer wall of the device is preferably made from a strip Il) of cardboard or the like, illustrated in Fig. 3, and subdivided into five panels Il, I2, I3, I4 and I5, by creased lines, the arrangement being such that when the same is folded up the two endmost panels I I and I5 will overlap each other to form a square box-like structure open at both ends. The two endmost panels II and I5 are secured to each other preferably by glue or other suitable adhesive to form a rigid structure.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing is shown the initial form of one of the internal members which is also preferably made from a strip 20 of cardboard or the like, suitably creased whereby the same maybe readily formed into the shape shown in perspective in Fig. 5 of the drawing, so as to provide a small end panel 2l, aglonger end panel 22 and offset V-shaped panels23 and 24. The end panels 2l and 22 of one of the said members are glued or otherwise secured to one of the side walls of the box structure, with its V-shaped projecting panels 23 and 24 disposed toward one of the open ends of said boX; whereas, the other of said internal members is similarly secured to the opposite side wall of the box, but with its V-shaped panels 23 and 24 disposed toward the other end thereof.

When the parts are all glued, or otherwise secured to each other as aforesaid, there results a stiff rigid structure which will be found in use to be quite durable, even though made of relatively inexpensive materials. It Will, of course, be understood that decorative covering (not shown) of paper or other material may be used on any of the surfaces, if so desired, to enhance the appearance of the device.

The operation of the device is quite simple and will be readily understood. The device is placed upon a table or game board where it is desired to use the same, one of the open ends resting upon the surface of the table or board and the other end thereby being disposed at the top. The operator then merely drops the dice in the top, the dice falling through and being agitated in their passage by the V-shaped projections of the internal members and finally coming to rest on the surface of the table or board. The device is then raised to expose the dice and the action may be quickly repeated after the dice have been read.

It will be found that the use of the device will greatly enhance the pleasure of playing various games in which dice are employed for controlling the moves. The action of the game will be greatly speeded, as the usual shaking of the dice box is eliminated, it being merely necessary to drop the dice in the top and then raise the device from the table or board.

I claim:

1. A dice agitating device comprising a sheet of material creased to provide a plurality of longitudinal panels formed and united to provide a box structure open `at both ends, and internal members also made of sheet material creased and formed to provide projecting V-shaped portions, said internal members each having flat portions,

the flat portions of one of said internal -members being `secured to one of the side Walls of the box structure, and the at portions of the other of said internal members being secured to the opposite side wall of the box structure, the V-shaped portionsY being longitudinally spaced to agitate the dice as the same pass through the box from top to bottom and being so disposed Within the box that the device may be used either end up. Y

2. A dice agitating device `comprising a sheet of material creased to provide a plurality of 1ongitudinal panels formed and united to provide a box structure open at both ends, and internal members also made of sheet material creased and formed to provide projecting V-shaped portions, said internal members each having flat portions, the fiat portions of each of said members being longer at one end Athan at the other, the iiat portions of one of said internal members being secured to one of the side walls of the box structure, and the at portions of the other of said internal members being secured to the opposite side wall of the box structure, the V-shaped portions being longitudinally spaced to agitate, the dice as the same pass through the ,box from top to bottom and being so dis-l posed within the box that the device may be used eitherend up.

3. A dice agitating device adapted to be used either end up comprising a box open at both ends and dice a'gitating` members internally disposed on opposite si-des at spaced locations between said ends, said members projecting inwardly from said sides, each of said members having an inclined lateral face facing toward one end of said box'and an inclined lateral face at an angle to said other face and facing toward the other end of said box, vsaid faces extending transversely across the box from side to side, said agitating members projecting inwardly to an extent to provide at least one obstacle Within the interior of the box to the free vertical passage of the dice therethroughl from either end.

4. A dice agitating device adapted to be used either end up comprising a box open at both ends and V-shaped obstacle members internally disposed on opposite sides at spaced locations between said ends, said obstacle members projecting inwardly from said sides, each of said obstacle members having inclined lateral faces extending transversely across the box from side to side and facing toward the respective ends of said box, said obstacle members projecting inwardly to an extent to provide at least one obstacle within the interior of the box to the free vertical passage of the diceV therethrough from either end.

5. A dice agitating device adapted to be used either end up comprising a box open at both ends and V-shaped dice agitating members internally disposed on opposite sides at spaced locations 'between said ends, said members being xedly mounted on and projecting inwardly from said opposite sides, each of said agitating members 'having inclined lateral faces extending transversely across the box from side to Lside and meeting at a transverse inner edge, sai-d faces facing towards the respective Lopen ends of said box, said faces and transverse edges projecting inwardly to an extent that at least one obstacle is provided within the interior of the box to the free vertical passage of the dice therethrough from either end.

JAMES C. WOBENSMITH. 

